A group of 60 SpaceX Starlink satellites prior to launch on January 29, 2020. The launch, believed to have cost SpaceX $ 50 million, was the company’s third launch of an operational batch of Starlink satellites. (Image credit: SpaceX)
Hawthorne, California-based astronaut launch service provider and equipment manufacturer Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) plans to diversify its operations by launching an Internet network consisting of non-geostationary satellites and ground base stations. Dubbed as Starlink, this network eventually intends to operate on its own by using lasers to transmit data between satellites to ensure global coverage.
However, SpaceX’s plans for Starlink have come under scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has yet to decide whether to maintain the company’s preferential access to certain frequency bands. In addition, the Commission must also change its mind about Starlink being “experimental” in nature; a change that will qualify the network to receive funds from the US government to provide internet access to users in rural areas.
To this end, Starlink won a great FCC victory as the regulatory body gave SpaceX Services Inc. the temporary authority to operate Starlink ground stations located in six U.S. states. The approval comes after SpaceX’s decision to file the Special Temporary Authority (STA) application with the FCC in mid-June.
SpaceX granted temporary authority to operate Starlink ground stations in California, Minnesota, Idaho, Alabama, Georgia and Montana.
For the initial stage of Starlink’s launch, SpaceX will have to use ground-based ground stations to operate the network and provide users with the ability to connect to Internet servers. The company asked the FCC to allow it to temporarily operate six earth stations in different US states to test these ground stations and satellites, in a bid to ensure that the network works up to expectations once it is commercially launched later this year.
The six ground stations for which SpaceX received FCC approval are located in Hitterdal, MN; Tionesta, CA; Robertsdale, AL; and Baxley, GA, Butte, MT; and Colburn, ID. To upload data from stations to Starlink satellites, the company intends to use the 28.6-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30.0 GHz spectra and for the downlink, it intends to use the 17.8-18.6 GHz and 18.8-19.3 GHz .
The Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1049.5) with the eighth batch of Starlink satellites takes off on June 4, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. (Image: Live stream from SpaceX)
FCC approval also requires SpaceX to be responsible for any interference that may occur with existing users of the aforementioned spectrum bands. Specifically, they are leaning against SpaceX due to the facts. that while the company is responsible for not intentionally causing interference with other current users of the band and that it is not responsible for receiving protection against such interference, if this interference does occur, SpaceX must stop transmission from the responsible ground station of the occurrence and proceed to inform the FCC of the event.
Each of SpaceX’s input earth stations has eight antennas that SpaceX manufactures in-house. The antennas come with smaller and larger diameters of 1.5 meters each, are located 3.2 meters above ground level, have an input power of 50 watts and an effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of 66.5 decibels. EIRP is an indicator of the maximum antenna output power in one direction.
SpaceX’s STA period begins today and will last 60 days before ending in September. In the narrative of the authorization request, the company directly related the grant to its ability to refine Starlink to create a network that is capable of serving populations in areas that are generally deprived of Internet connectivity or where users find it difficult to obtain. coverage. SpaceX is also required to coordinate with any federal user of the frequency bands in which it has been authorized to operate, and approval occurs as the company prepares to expand the number of Starlink satellites orbiting Earth by conducting more releases.
